This week we discuss Compassion Focused Therapy by Paul Gilbert who is a clinical psychologist and founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT).  We discuss the 3 interacting systems in our mind (Treat, Drive, Soothing), the old brain vs new brain, the mechanisms of change and how to cultivate our mindset to be more compassionate. Alongside compassionate self correction vs shame based self attacking and the attributes of compassions and skills we can develop. Plus much more around shifting from the threat system to a soothing system.  

Hope you enjoy. 

Will & Luke.

00:00 Introductions 

05:00 Key aspect of CFT 

07:30 Uses of CBT and interaction with CFT 

09:05 3 interacting Systems (Threat, Drive, Soothing) 

14:20 Old Brain and New Brain (also physical symptoms) 

17:00 The inbuilt soothing system 

19:20 The attitude of approaching CFT (de-shaming) (cultivating our mindset) 

23:05 The mechanisms of change (1. Disengage from the inner stimulators of threat. 2.Compassionately stand back from one's emotions and observing. 3. Activate the soothing system as a threat regulator. 4. Being able to engage with aversive inner experiences by developing a compassionate inner base) 

25:20 Mindset and approaches to CFT. Compassionate self correction vs shame based self attacking. Threat mind vs compassionate mind.  

27:20 Attributes of compassion (Sensitivity, Sympathy, Care for well-being, Non-judgemental, Empathy, Distress tolerance) + Skills Training (Imagery, Reasoning, Behaviour, Sensory, Feeling, Attention.  

33:00 Social Mentalities (we have a number of these that enable us to seek out and form certain types of relationships). (Competitive vs Caring Mentality) 

37:20 Creating a compassionate base and cultivating a compassionate mind 

51:00 Striving vs acceptance 

54:20 Final reflections and examples around self talk and noticing the systems we enter into.

This specific episode can also be seen on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsCvmhEIO7s

Check our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Y_SKLFpax13442jA3giaw/videos

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Find the book: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/resource/books